Charge air cooler (cac) having a condensate dispersion device and a method of dispersing condensate from a cac

A charge air cooler having a condensate dispersion device, comprising:

• an inlet housing having an inlet port configured to receive a heated pressurized airflow containing a water vapor;
• an outlet housing having an outlet port and an interior surface defining a condensate receiver located at a lower portion of the outlet housing;
• a plurality of airflow tubes connecting the inlet housing to the outlet housing such that the inlet housing is in fluid communication with the outlet housing, wherein the plurality of airflow tubes are configured transfer heat from the heated pressurized airflow to an ambient airflow;
• and
• a wicking material partially disposed in the condensate receiver and extending through the outlet port of the outlet housing.

A method of dispersing condensate from a charge air cooler, comprising the steps of:

• cooling an airflow containing moisture below a dew point of the airflow such that a portion of the moisture condenses into a plurality of droplets of liquid;
• passing the airflow through an outlet housing of the charge air cooler such that a portion of the plurality of droplets coalesces into a condensate and settles into a lower portion of the outlet housing;
• wetting a wicking material by contacting a first portion of the wicking material with the settled condensate such that the condensate wets a second portion of the wicking material extending from the first portion;
• and
• exposing the second portion of the wicking material to the airflow such that the condensate wetting the second portion evaporates into the airflow.